There were 14 statewide propositions, also called ballot measures, on California’s November 3, 2026 ballot. California Environmental Voters took a position on nine of them: the measures that shape who gets a say in our democracy, who pays for pollution, and whether communities can protect their own air and water.
Here’s where we stand, and what each one does.
EnviroVoters positions on California ballot propositions
| Measure | What it does | Our position | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | $11.25 billion for affordable and veteran housing | YES | PASSED |
| Proposition 2 | Increases the state’s rainy day fund | YES | PASSED |
| Proposition 4 | Allows public funding of election campaigns | YES | Pending |
| Proposition 5 | Changes how recall elections work | YES | Pending |
| Proposition 39 | Requires government-issued ID to vote | NO | DEFEATED |
| Proposition 41 | Adds new hurdles to voter-approved taxes | NO | Pending |
| Proposition 42 | Permanently bans new taxes on financial assets | NO | Pending |
| Proposition 43 | Raises the vote threshold for local funding measures | NO | Pending |
| Proposition 45 | Rolls back environmental review for certain projects | NO | Pending |
Are propositions and ballot measures the same thing?
Yes. “Ballot measure” is the general term for anything voters decide directly. When a measure qualifies for a California statewide ballot, it gets a number and becomes a proposition. Your ballot and the official voter guide use both words for the same 14 items.
Local measures work a little differently. Those are usually identified by letter, like Measure A, and they vary by county and city. For example, EnviroVoters is endorsing a YES on Measure PRK in Los Angeles—you can read more about that in our Los Angeles regional voter guide.
Proposition 1: Vote YES (PASSED)
Proposition 1 lets California issue $11.25 billion in bonds to fund affordable housing and veteran housing programs.
This bond supports low- and moderate-income rental and homeownership development, infrastructure projects, farmworker housing, student housing for US and CSU campuses, tribal housing grants, veteran housing programs, and pilot programs to lower housing costs. It’s projected to help provide affordable housing for more than 80,000 households.
Prop 1 supports energy-efficient, construction and infill housing that protects against urban sprawl and contributes to climate resilience for the frontline communities that bear the worst impacts of the climate crisis. The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates repayment at $500 to $600 million a year for about 25 years, which will be paid out of the state general fund.
A YES vote lets the state issue $11.25 billion in bonds for veterans and affordable housing.
This proposition passed on November 4, 2026. Read the full list of endorsement outcomes here.
Proposition 2: Vote YES (PASSED)
Proposition 2 raises the limit on California’s rainy day fund, the savings account the state draws on when revenues fall short.
This matters for our air and water. When the budget shrinks, clean energy, wildfire prevention, and public health programs are usually the first things cut. A bigger reserve means those programs are more consistently funded, even if the economy gets worse.
California has made historic commitments to fight climate change, protect clean air and water, and prevent wildfires. But when the state hits a budget shortfall without enough in reserve, environmental programs are often among the first to be cut or delayed. We’ve seen billions in climate funding put on the chopping block during tight budget years, and our communities can’t afford that kind of setback.
Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Prop 2 strengthens California’s Rainy Day Fund using the same common sense every family lives by: save in good years so you’re ready for tough ones. It’s based on recommendations from nonpartisan budget experts and has support from Democrats and Republicans alike. A stronger reserve means California can keep its climate commitments, even when the economy turns.
A YES vote lets the state save more, protecting funding for climate and community programs.
This proposition passed on November 4, 2026. Read the full list of endorsement outcomes here.
Proposition 4: Vote YES
California law currently bans public funding of election campaigns. Proposition 4 would lift that ban and allow state and local governments to create public financing programs.
Money in politics directly affects how our leaders govern. Our 2025 California Environmental Scorecard found that Democratic legislators who don’t take oil money scored 89% on average. Democrats who do take oil money averaged only 66%.
Public financing won’t end big spending in politics, but it gives candidates a way to run for office that doesn’t depend on corporations, billionaires, or industry groups. It also makes small donations from everyday people count for more.
The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision opened the door to unlimited political spending, and one state measure won’t close it. But Proposition 4 gives Californians a way to push back against big money in politics, and puts a little more power in the hands of regular voters.
A YES vote allows public campaign financing programs that will reduce private money influence in politics.
Proposition 5: Vote YES
Today, a recall ballot asks two questions at the same time: should this official be removed, and who should replace them? Proposition 5 removes the second question so voters only choose whether or not to remove an elected official. After an official is removed, then their vacancy would be filled by a separate special election or an appointment, depending on the office and the timing.
Under the current system, an official can be removed by a narrow majority and replaced by someone who won a much smaller share of the vote. This creates confusion for voters around the recall process. Prop 5 would preserve voters’ ability to recall officials while preventing recalls from being used as a tool to install candidates who lack broad public vote.
A YES vote removes the replacement question from recall ballots to make the recall process clearer and easier for voters.
Proposition 39: Vote NO (DEFEATED)
Proposition 39 would require every Californian to show government-issued identification in order to vote. Today, they use your signature to verify your identity.
Millions of eligible voters don’t have a current government ID, and the people least likely to have one are older voters, young voters, low-income voters, and voters of color. This measure adds a new barrier that makes it harder for Californians to vote in elections.
A NO vote keeps California’s current signature-based system and blocks this attempt to add new barriers to voting.
This proposition was defeated on November 4, 2026, which is a positive outcome for voter protections in California. Read the full list of endorsement outcomes here.
Proposition 41: Vote NO
Proposition 41 would make it harder to pass voter-approved taxes that fund specific things, like clean water, wildfire prevention, or transit.
If Prop 41 passes, the State Auditor would have to review any special tax proposal before voters see it on the ballot. This adds a new step that blocks Californians from getting to pass new taxes, even if they have broad public support. And new revenue from special taxes could start counting against California’s spending cap, which means that it could trigger automatic refunds that reduce funding for other state programs for things like clean water, wildfire prevention, or transit.
California already faces severe funding cuts from the federal government on things like Medicaid, food stamps, and electric vehicle incentives. Passing Prop 41 makes it harder to generate healthy revenue to support the public programming our communities rely on.
A NO vote keeps the current rules for special taxes and the state spending limit.
Proposition 42: Vote NO
Proposition 42 would permanently ban California from creating new taxes on the ownership of financial assets, like stocks and other investments. It would also prohibit new state taxes that apply retroactively.
This is a permanent restriction that would be written into the state constitution, which means we can only undo it with another statewide proposition in the future. With the climate crisis driving up costs every year and federal funding rollbacks, California needs to keep all potential options to raise funds for climate and community programs.
A NO vote keeps the state’s current ability to consider special taxes.
Proposition 43: Vote NO
Proposition 43 would require two-thirds voter approval for certain local taxes. Today, a simple majority is enough.
In practice, this means that when your community votes to fund clean drinking water, fire protection, parks, or transit, a minority of voters could block what the majority wants. Wealthy interests that oppose local funding only need to peel off a third of the vote.
A NO vote keeps majority rule for local funding measures, preventing wealthy interests from blocking funding for projects the majority of people want.
Proposition 45: Vote NO
Proposition 45 would roll back the California Environmental Quality Act, the law that requires harm to our air, water, and land to be disclosed and reduced before a large project is approved. It was written by the California Chamber of Commerce and financed by corporations that profit from building with less public oversight.
It would cut the time you get to comment on projects near your home, limit what judges can consider when communities go to court, and override other state environmental laws when they conflict. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates it could cost taxpayers $100 million or more every year.
EnviroVoters is one of more than 450 organizations opposing it.
A NO vote keeps California’s clean air and clean water protections in place.
The other five measures
EnviroVoters has not taken a position on these at this time. They’re on your ballot, and the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office has a plain-language summary of each.
| Measure | What it does |
|---|---|
| Proposition 3 | Makes the existing tax on high incomes permanent |
| Proposition 37 | Creates a home loan program for middle-income buyers |
| Proposition 38 | $8.4 billion in bonds for immunology medical research |
| Proposition 40 | One-time 5% tax on billionaires’ wealth |
| Proposition 44 | Requires health clinics to spend 90% of revenue on services |
How and when to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Ballots have already been mailed to every active registered California voter. You can return yours by mail, drop it at any official drop box, or bring it to a vote center. You can also vote in person.
Check your registration · Find your drop box or polling place
Your ballot also includes local measures, which differ by city and county. Our regional guides cover the races and measures we’re watching in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, the Central Valley, and the Sierra Nevada.
Take our cheat sheet with you
One page, every race and measure we’ve weighed in on. Keep it open while you fill out your ballot.
Download the 2026 Election Cheat Sheet (PDF) · Descarga la guía del votante (PDF)
You can also see every candidate and measure we’ve endorsed on our official voter guide, from governor down to local races.